03/06/2026
This 🙌
We’re taking inspiration and words from The Old Hume Cafe - Gunning on this one 🫶🏼
We know that people don’t like to talk about costs and profitability, and we’ve experienced our fair share of ‘I’m not paying that’ or ‘that’s a bit expensive’ or ‘well it never used to be like this’ - but here’s the reality.
The Fair Work Commission announced another increase to award wages of 4.75%, effective from 1 July 2026.
What many people don't realise is that this isn't a one-off increase. Over the past five years, cafés have absorbed:
• 2022 – 4.6% wage increase
• 2023 – 5.75% wage increase
• 2024 – 3.75% wage increase
• 2025 – 3.5% wage increase
• 2026 – 4.75% wage increase
On top of that, compulsory superannuation has increased from 10% to 12%.
To be clear, this isn't about staff not deserving a pay rise. Our team work hard and deserve to be paid fairly - our business would not function without them!
Over the same period, we've seen significant increases in the cost of goods:
Coffee, milk (and alternatives), eggs, bacon, fresh produce, meats. Liquor. Electricity, gas, fuel, insurances.
Most cafès aren't increasing prices to get rich.
We're increasing prices because we're trying to keep the doors open, continue employing local people, pay our staff fairly, and remain viable in an environment where costs continue to rise from every direction.
Times are tough for everyone right now. They're tough for families, they're tough for customers, and they're tough for small businesses.
So the next time you notice your local café increase their prices a little, please remember that we're facing rising costs across every aspect of our business.
☕️ Support small business.
☕️ Support the businesses that employ local people.
☕️ Support the businesses that help keep regional communities alive.
🫶🏼
